Minister marks C Company House opening

Education Minister HekiaParata has congratulated all those who worked to establish the C Company Memorial House which opened in Gisborne today.

View of the new C Company Memorial House at the 15 November 2014 opening.

The new permanent space for the 28thMāori Battalion C Company exhibition will house photos, taonga and other military memorabilia, and is adjacent to the existing Tairawhiti Museum.

Ms Parata says C Company has a special place in the history of the East Coast region and New Zealand.

“The soldiers of C Company were part of one of New Zealand’s finest fighting forces. NgāTamaToa Trust and Tairawhiti Museum have done a fantastic job managing the collection of taonga and informing the public of the achievements of the soldiers.

”This house ensures the spirit and sacrifice of the soldiers of C Company is recognised and remembered. Locals and visitors to Gisborne now have a place to go to acknowledge the soldiers’ contribution and reflect on their triumphs and tragedies.

“I also have a personal debt of thanks to my grandfather who was an officer in C Company, together with many other relatives.”

Arrival of Ministers Parata, Finlayson and Flavell at the ceremonial opening.

Ms Parata attended the ceremonial opening which took place almost 100 years to the day that 60 Māori volunteers departed Gisborne for WWI. As part of the ceremony, 60 serving soldiers marched in a parade to honour those soldiers.

Tamati Reedy speaking at the opening.

The Government contributed $500,000 towards the construction of C Company House, on top of funding of $600,000 under the Regional Museums Policy to the Tairawhiti Museum’s redevelopment and extension project.